Building-block.



, No. 803,380. PATENTED OOIT. 31, 1905.

J. WICKRE. BUILDING BLOCK.

.APPLIcATIoN FILED JULY 1. 1904.

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ward edge of the block.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BUILDING-BLOCK.

Speciiication of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 31, 1905.

Application filed July 1, 1904. Serial No. 214,978.

To all whom, it muy concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN WICKRE, a citizen or' the United States, residing at Williamsburg, in the county of James City and State of Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Building-Blocks, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to an improvement in building-blocks structurally designed to aiforl protection against dampness, heat, or co The main object of the invention resides in the production of a building-block formed with a plurality of air-spaces so larranged as to provide a double or two of such air-spaces in the path of any iniiuence penetrating transversely of the block.

The preferred form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure 1 is a perspective View of a building-block constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan showing the arrangement and connection of two horizontally-adjacent blocks. Fig. 3 is anenlarged transverse vertical section of the block, taken on the line a: a* of Fig. 2.

The building-block l is provided with a plurality of apertures extending vertically through the block and arranged in a plurality oi' series, the present instance showing three such series. The apertures of each series are arranged in longitudinal alinement and have a deiinite relation to the apertures of each of the other series. The apertures 2 of the forward series are narrow elongated openings extending entirely through the block and arranged parallel with and contiguous the for- The apertures are wholly independent of each other, being joined by intervening or solid necks 3. The apertures 4 of the central series are practically similar in size to the apertures 2, being arranged, however, so that their intervening necks 5 are disposed about centrally opposite the apertures 2. The apertures 6 of the rear series are similar to apertures 2 and 4, but of less length, being arranged so that their intervening necks 7 are disposed opposite a portion of both the apertures 2 and 4, as clearly shown in the drawings.

As the necks 5 of the central series of apertures are disposed opposite the central portion of apertures 2 of the forward series and as the necks 7 of the apertures 6 of the rear series are disposed opposite the overlapping portions of apertures 2 and 4, it will be evident that the necks 3,- 5, and 7 are arranged in staggered relation throughout the blockthat is, no two of such necks are in alinement transversely of the block. From this construction and arrangement it follows that any influence penetrating transversely oi' the block will intersect at least two of the air-spaces, thus doubly guarding against undesirable iniiuences.

The blocks are to be assembled so that the similar spaces of the superimposed blocks will register, providing uninterrupted air-spaces throughout the height of the walls.

It may be found desirable to form halfspaces at the ends of the bricks in one or more oi' said series, in which event of course the corresponding half-space of the horizontallyadjacent brick will register and form a complete air-space.

To provide for the effective securing together of the horizontally-adjacent block, I provide the end surfaces with vertically-arranged V-'shaped grooves 8, which when the blocks are assembled register with similar grooves in the horizontally-adjacent block to provide practically diamond-shaped recesses to receive the binding-cement, as is usual. These locking-grooves may be of any form desired, their main purpose being to prevent independent lateral movement oi' the blocks.

The forward edge of the block may be rounded or beveled, if desired, as at 9, or may be otherwise ornamented as desired.

The blocks intended for use at the end of the wall or structure will of course have an unbroken side edge or surface, in which instance the air-space apertures will be formed wholly within the body of the brick.

By forming the air-spaces of at least two of the series at the ends of the block, so as to require thel coperation of the neighboring block to complete the air-space, I provide a double air-space across the cement binding, thus guarding this point.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new ism l. A building-block formed with a number oi' apertures arranged in a plurality of series, the apertures of each series having intervening necks, the necks of any one series being out of alinement with the necks of either of the other series, two of the series being formed with half-length apertures at the ends of the blocks.

2. A building-block having inner, outer IOC) IIO

and central longitudinal rows of vertical apl lated as to present at least two air-spaces to ertures, the apertures of the outer and central the passage of any influence in any plane transseries being of equal or substantially equal versely of the block throughout the'length length and the apertures of the inner series thereof. 5 of less length, and neck portions intervening' l In testimony whereof Iaix my signature in I5 the apertures of each series, the intervening` presence of two Witnesses. necks of any one series being out of alinement l JOHN VVICKRE.

with the necks of either of the other series, Witnesses: whereby the necks are arranged in staggered F. R. SAVAGE, IO relation and the apertures of the series so re- B. LARSON. 

